Project: Running T-rex *UPDATED - 26 November*

[graf orlok]

I figured I'd start a blog here, just to push myself through the process. And maybe get some help/encouraging words from you guys in the process I have very little time for my own projects having a full time job and small kids and all. But I think this might help me through. We'll see.

I wanted to sculpt a running T-rex since the day I picked up clay, but never found myself having the time or the motivation or knowledge or whatever to do so. A few weeks ago I finally started on something I've been sketching on for a while. It's quite big, maybe around 1/18th scale or something.






Stage 01: the foam armature
http://swedecreations.com/trexProject/trex01.htm

Stage 02: the rough-in
http://swedecreations.com/trexProject/trex02.htm

Stage 03: defining the skull
http://swedecreations.com/trexProject/trex03.htm

Stage 04: blocking out the face
http://swedecreations.com/trexProject/trex04.htm

Stage 05: Shiny Teeth
http://swedecreations.com/trexProject/trex05.htm

Stage 06: Fleshing out
http://swedecreations.com/trexProject/trex06.htm

I'll keep posting whenever I have something new to show or need your opinion on anything, and don't hesitate on the crits. I'm made of steel... not! But as long as it is constructive I can take it
And don't hesitate cracking the whip whenever I'm too lazy...

[Ravenstar]

hey i like that , looks very fast. although it looks like you sculpting in bubble gum , I can't wait to see more.
cool

[Creature Core7]

Staffan, even in the rough it looks great. i can really see the movement and weight of it. Very cool, man.

[swriojas]

Staffan, I'm going to check in every five minutes from now till the next update. I can not wait to see this one finished. Right on!


Steve

[SaturnLtd]

If you left it just like that Steffan, you could say it's when the big meteor hit & the flesh is melting off his body! Actually, fantastic looking in-progress photos. I can't wait to see this big boy finished. Please make sure to keep us updated.

Dino

[bucketfoot-al]

To quote "Mr. Slave" from the "South Park TV cartoon:

"JESUSTH CHRISTH! JESUSTH CHRISTH!"



Staffan, that looks absolutely AWESOME! Keep at it!

Do I detect a distinct Zdenek Burian influence in the shape of the head/mouth? It kind of leaped out at me, if you know what I mean (think of the painting with the Rex and the Trachodons).

P.S. Might you be offering this as a kit, or is it going to be an original only??

[bucketfoot-al]

One suggestion while you are still in the early stages:

Many TRex sculpts - even today - screw up the arms.

Yes, the TRex had very small arms.

*BUT*

They were extremely well-muscled (think: Arnold Schwarzenegger) with the bicep being quite short. In fact, it looks like the bicep - which had attachments for large and powerful muscles - may have actually been recessed into the chest muscles to some degree (almost up to the elbow according to some palaeontologists). This would tend to maximize the strength of the already powerful bicep muscle.

And the claws were quite large for such small arms and the fingers were also quite long for the arm size, so that they could be spread apart pretty wide in my view - some palaeontologists have speculated that the TRex may have used the arms with the elongated fingers as 'meathooks' to help hold the prey once it bit down into it.

Too many sculptors even today (even great ones like Shinzen and Araki) still make their TRexes with longer, thinner arms, which just really screws up the look of what are otherwise great sculpts.

Extimates are that a TRex could have lifted up to 200KG (400LBS) with EACH arm (!!!!!!)

So, it helps to think of them as "Short, Compact, Well-Muscled MEATHOOKS" in my opinion....

[kevtk135]

Terrific job Steffan! I love d the in progress "lesson." I like to watch sculptors show every step instead of the "suddenly a miracle happens" approach. Keep up the good work.

One suggestion while you are still in the early stages:

(snip)
Yes, the TRex had very small arms.
(snip)
Too many sculptors even today (even great ones like Shinzen and Araki) still make their TRexes with longer, thinner arms, which just really screws up the look of what are otherwise great sculpts.

I'm not an authority on musculature (sp?) but I agree.
FWIW - I also read somewhere that T-Rex's arms were so short that he couldn't even clap his "hands" if he wanted to. They just couldn't reach ...

[graf orlok]

Christopher, Jason, Steve, Dino, Vlad and Kev! Thanks guys!

Yeah, I have a few ideas I want to try out. Bucketfoot-al wasn't late PM-ing me a bunch of great ideas and info to further emphasize what he says here. Thanks Vlad!
My vision of the hands are that I think they usually are portrayed a bit too small and weak, and way too short, stocky fingers. So I want to do them pronounced, and also suggest a little of the bird ancestry by turning them a bit inwards. But they'll be in motion just as it is already suggested in the sculpture.

As far as making a kit, I will not produce it. BUT if any of the dinosaur kit producers out there are interested I wouldn't mind to strike a deal I love the prospect of seeing others paint my stuff so if it's possible to get it out, I'd definately jump on it. But as you all know I will take my time with this one, so don't expect anything too soon!

[Creamdog]

Staffan, I love you! I mean... well you know... Whoops, here comes my girlfriend.

[Crazy Joe]

Steffan, your form rocks!!! I love the movement and "off balance" dynamic of the sculpt-

The choppers are a little long- you may want to hack a mm or 2 off of the longer ones..........

[bucketfoot-al]

Steffan, your form rocks!!! I love the movement and "off balance" dynamic of the sculpt-

The choppers are a little long- you may want to hack a mm or 2 off of the longer ones..........

That's because he hasn't moulded the 'lips' on yet.

Seriously, have you ever seen 'Stan' the TRex skull close-up? I have - close enough to touch it - and its got the longest damned teeth I've ever seen on a TRex....

[graf orlok]

Thanks Creamdog and Joe. Yes they are long, and yes they are based off of Stan. I used a pic of Stans skull as a cut-out reference and the length is pretty much the length of his teeth, but on the other hand. I have a feeling they are a bit exaggerated on Stan, pulled out of their soccets sort of. One thing though, I feel mine are a little to thick, I might need to re-do them a bit more slender... I made them in Super Sculpey, but I notice when I torch the Chavant the teeth easily gets burnt. So might as well redo them in epoxy clay instead... I still have the teeth in the lower jaw to do.

And the bubble gum I use to sculpt this puppy is actually a very hard Chavant NSP clay. Not very much like bubble gum, more like soft rock

[jonestation]

Your t-rex is very powerful and dynamic, sometimes i just like something which are raw please keep us updated.

[Sputnik Supplies]

Nice pose. Very dynamic. I am anxious to see it completed.

Paul

[hedorah59]

Amazing job so far! You've got a very dynamic pose, without being too exaggerated. I love it!

I've seen too many dinos sculpted in action poses that were WAY over-exaggerated, they looked like they were trying to break dance or something...

Thanks for sharing with us -

Kirk

[WilySteve]

Looking good! Great pose. Loving it

[lugnut]

This is outrageous. I thought you were the vampire guy??

Poetry in motion!

[Joa]

Oh, mama....

Ja, Du... om någon kan göra en dynamisk Tyrro är det du.
Kul att se dig jobba i lera igen! =)

[Scotty]

I'm a guy that loves dinoaurs to death. This is shaping up to be a TERRIFIC REX! I look forward to seeing this thing progress, it's already got a lot of life in it.